SIXTEEN people with Parkinson’s Disease are being taught to improve their speech by combining voice therapy with singing.

A new six-week course is being organised by Debra Borsley, speech and language therapist at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with singer Rhiannon Gayle and with the support of the Skipton branch of Parkinson’s UK.

The course started last month with each session lasting two hours. The aims are to improve vocal loudness, pitch range and control, breath control, facial mobility and also to have an impact on confidence and wellbeing.

Participants - 12 men and four women, aged between 60 and 78 - come from places as far afield as Addingham to Austwick.

Debra said: “Many people with Parkinson’s Disease have a quiet voice. Sometimes they can sing loudly but when it comes to speaking the level of their voice drops.

"There is evidence that intensive voice practice can have a significant impact on vocal loudness and so we are trying to help them combine voice therapy and singing to improve day to day conversation. Singing can also have a very positive impact on your mood and wellbeing.

“The course is very prescriptive and it is a lot of hard work with homework every day. We are very fortunate to have Rhiannon Gayle as a singing teacher. She has a considerable musical background and is extremely enthusiastic, with lots of energy and drive. The course will be fun but with serious goals and hopefully positive outcomes.”

All participants have been pre-assessed to be given individual targets and daily communications tasks. The aim is to improve voice and to give participants techniques to help them to maintain the volume of their voice for as long as possible.

Rhiannon set up Rock up and Sing community choirs to make music and singing accessible to everyone in 2009 and has also previously been involved with a Parkinson’s Choir in Harrogate. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London in 1986 as a qualified soprano and founded an opera company which had sellout performances throughout the UK and Middle East.

She has since worked for English Heritage and the National Trust in historic costumed musicals and as a vocal coach at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

If the course proves to be a success, there are plans to run more in the future. For more information contact Debra on 01535 292756.